**This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!**

Some stories don’t just inspire you — they shake something awake. This week, Dr. Joy Kong joins me for a conversation that’s part science, part soul, and all heart.

She’s a triple board-certified physician, stem-cell specialist, anti-aging powerhouse, founder of Chara Health, author, and podcast host.

But what really stands out is her journey — from growing up in China to chasing her dreams in America and changing the way we think about healing.

We talk about resilience, bridging traditional and modern medicine, and how curiosity might be the most powerful healing tool we have.

If you’ve ever hit a wall or wondered if your vision was too big, this episode is your reminder: keep digging, keep learning, and keep going.

Dr. Joy Kong – YouTube

Listen to or watch the Dr. Joy Kong Podcast

Buy her book on Amazon:

Tiger of Beijing: The Inspirational Memoir of a Fierce Regenerative Medicine Physician

Follow Dr. Joy on Instagram

Connect with Dr. Joy on Facebook

Dr. Kong founded and runs Chara Health

Feel Younger, Live Bolder - Experience the power of regenerative medicine and advanced aesthetics—personalized to renew your energy, elevate performance, and support long-term vitality.

****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!****

In this powerful episode, Steve and I candidly discuss the impact of alcohol on his relationships and emotional well-being, describing the deep emotional pain and turmoil he endured.

He reflects on moments of desperation where he felt completely lost, overwhelmed, and unable to articulate his desire to stop drinking.

Throughout the conversation, Steve, now 43 years old, shares how his addiction strained his relationships, often leaving him in tears and feeling powerless—like a “puddle” on the floor.

He highlights how addiction creates unhealthy relationship dynamics and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness in the healing process.

Facing and accepting deep emotional truths, Steve shows that recovery is a journey through pain, vulnerability, and the rediscovery of one’s strength and self-understanding.

Steve hosts 2 podcasts:

1) Forged In Silence Podcast

A raw men's mental health podcast featuring personal stories, vulnerability, and the power of group connection. Each episode explores men's emotional well-being, relationships, growth, and the journey to healing in a world that often encourages silence. Listen in for open conversations about masculinity, trauma, support, and self-discovery.

Watch or listen to Forged in Silence on YouTube

Listen on Apple Podcasts

2) Through the Glass Recovery

A sobriety podcast where we make sobriety feel like something you want to do, not something you have to do. Connection, vulnerability, and thriving are at the heart of recovery. Join hosts Steve & Julie for real conversations that make sobriety feel rewarding and help you build a life so full there's no room left for alcohol.

Listen to stories, practical advice, and engaging discussions with the recovery community.

Explore episodes, free virtual support groups, and recovery resources

Follow ThroughtheGlassRecovery on Instagram

Connect on Facebook

****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea: https://livedivini.com/ -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!****

Retired Police Officer & Gang Detective Manny Angulo shares his incredible story of turning adversity into purpose, from dropping out of high school to overcoming the challenges of police academy, patrol work, and detective life.

We dig into how becoming a parent during Manny’s training shaped his perspective and how experiences with PTSD and alcoholism led him to co-found ⁠P.I.S.T.L.E.⁠, a non-profit organization supporting police officers with trauma.

Follow P.I.S.T.L.E. on Instagram

He opens up about undercover work, family struggles, and the crucial role of gaming as a fundraising tool for mental health initiatives. At every step, Manny emphasizes the power of integrity, compassion, and community.

This episode feels especially close to me, not only because our conversation is powerful, but because Manny is the father of my podcast producer, Julian—and my producer was once my student when I taught middle school in 2006.

To the truly awesome Angulo family that has given so much to our communities through Manny's courage and your sacrifices, and to all retired and active police officers around the world protecting us in the face of adversity...we humbly thank you for your service!

*****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea: Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!*****

In this powerful episode, Caralyn Dreyer shares her journey through adoption, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and an eating disorder—and the lifelong work of healing that has followed.

We openly talk about reclaiming identity, building self-worth after trauma, and the role therapy, forgiveness, and community play in recovery.

As a fellow mother and mental health advocate, Caralyn opens up about breaking generational cycles and finding strength through vulnerability.

Her story shines a light on the courage it takes to face the past and the beauty of resilience. She and I very candidly dive into what it truly means to heal.

If you or someone you love is navigating trauma or mental health recovery, this conversation offers compassion, validation, and hope.

More from Caralyn Dreyer:

Read Caralyn's Blog: Darkness to Dialogue – Living Well With Mental Illness⁠ – Honest stories, trauma-informed recovery tools, and stigma-busting insights for those living with depression, anxiety, and more.

Follow Caralyn on Instagram⁠ for daily reflections, lived experience, and advocacy.

Listen to “Through the Darkness” – A Mental Health Recovery Podcast⁠

Subscribe to Caralyn’s Substack⁠ for essays, recovery resources, and ongoing conversations about healing.

In this episode, returning guest Sylvie, first featured in Episode 41, rejoins the conversation to share how her journey of healing from domestic violence evolved into a passionate mission to help others reclaim their power.

⁠Connect with Coach Sylvie on Instagram⁠⁠

Now a trauma recovery coach and emotional wellness advocate, Sylvie guides individuals through their own healing journeys—helping them process grief, navigate trauma, and rediscover authenticity after pain.

She reflects on how embracing radical honesty, emotional awareness, and spiritual intuition not only transformed her life but became the foundation of her coaching work.

Sylvie believes healing is never about being rescued from the outside—it’s about learning to rescue yourself from within.

This episode explores how she empowers clients to connect with their emotions, peel back layers of pain, and build resilience through self-trust and community support.

Key Takeaways

• Pain can become the foundation for purpose and advocacy.

• Healing from trauma begins with inner strength and self-compassion.

• Radical authenticity is the doorway to transformation.

• Anger is valuable information that guides emotional clarity.

• Healing unfolds in layers, revealing the root of deeper wounds.

• Intuition and self-trust are essential tools for self-healing.

• Community connection fuels empowerment and recovery.

• Coaching creates a safe space for exploring and releasing pain.

• Emotional awareness strengthens resilience and confidence.

• Everyone has the capacity to heal and grow beyond their past.

  
  

Memorable Quotes

• "The rescue is an inside job."

• "Anger is just information."

• "You belong to God, not to a box."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Healing and Advocacy

02:56 Purposing Pain — Turning Adversity into Advocacy

06:00 The Inner Journey — Finding Strength Within

08:53 Radical Authenticity — Living Your Truth

11:59 Emotional Intelligence — Understanding Anger and Grief

14:44 Layers of Healing — The Root Analogy

17:53 The Power of Intuition — Trusting Yourself

20:56 Authentic Living — Finding Where You Belong

23:55 Coaching & Empowerment — Guiding Others Through Pain

26:43 Community Healing — Why We Need Each Other

29:40 Closing Reflections — Embracing the Ongoing Journey

This episode was deeply personal and inspiring—my conversation with author and psychonaut Adam Butler cut to the heart of what it means to struggle, heal, and grow.

Adam’s work, especially his book Butler’s DMT Field Guide: A Brief History, Step-by-Step Recipes, and Personal Experiences From a DMT Saturated Consciousness, captures his life-saving journey through mental health battles and hundreds of DMT experiences.

Follow @booksbyadambutler

Our dialogue explored how psychedelics, radical self-awareness, and inner work can transform lives.​

Adam shared how facing his darkest hours and travelingacross America gave him tools for healing—through reflection, therapy, community, and DMT’s powerful insights.

This episode is an invitation to dive into those uncomfortable places, honor growth, and find hope, whether through books, conversation, or your own journey.

Key takeaways

• Mental health struggles impact all of us at some point.​
• Honest inner work and community support lead to real growth.​
• Psychedelics like DMT can be life-changing tools for healing and self-acceptance.​
• Adam’s book offers practical advice for safe, enlightening DMT experiences.​
• Grounding in the present and gratitude are daily anchors.​

Healing flourishes when we share stories and connect, and this episode is proof of that!

What happens when a teacher’s favorite student grows up to become a force in the music industry—and your podcast partner, twenty years later?

This episode is a celebration of those full-circle moments that remind us why sticking to your passion matters, even when the road gets tough.

Back in 2005, I taught math and science to Julian, a creative seventh grader with a passion for music. Now, as a producer working with the likes of The Chainsmokers and Netflix—and my own podcast editor—Julian joins me for a heartfelt conversation about:

The unforgettable school year at Mission Charter in Arizona

-Turning a love of music into a thriving production career

-Honest stories from inside the music industry: the good, the bad, and the dark side

-Lessons on perseverance, creativity, and finding light in adversity

-The joy of reconnecting and working together after twenty years

Tune in to be inspired by a story of growth, mentorship, and the power of holding on to your dreams—even when life is unpredictable.

Follow Julian’s journey on Instagram: ⁠@jacklondonmusic⁠ for music highlights and behind-the-scenes glimpses!

#education #musicproducers #teachers #students

On this final day of #SuicidePreventionMonth, I hope and pray this honest conversation becomes a light for anyone struggling in the dark — and a guide for those walking alongside a friend or loved one through their hardest battles.

I'm so grateful I was able to connect with Pam Sharp, a fellow mom and podcast host of "Fight Hard, Love Much". Listen or watch Pam's podcast

"Fight Hard, Love Much" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Pam bravely shares the adversity her family has faced in losing their son, Sam, to suicide in 2020, at just 16 years old. She openly shares how she and her family are doing their best to navigate their path to acceptance and healing every day.

The Sharp family of 9 is the real deal. Since interviewing her incredible sons, Jake & Joe Sharp of @jduofit on ep. #45 of Adventures in Adversity:  Ep. 45: Carrying Sam’s light! Brotherhood,...  

I’ve been deeply moved by their whole family's authenticity, their strength, and their ability to turn Sam’s light and memory into a vehicle for others to find God and find healing.

I feel so blessed to know them and welcome Jake, Joe, & now Pam to the podcast as treasured guests.If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s okay to ask for help. Every single one of us deserves a helping hand, and support is available. 🎗️

Need compassionate mental health support?

If you live in the United States

U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call/text 988 (FREE - English & Spanish)⁠

If you live outside the United States:

International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)⁠

Topics covered

• Personal stories of parenting and faith after losing Sam
• Healing as a family and keeping your loved one’s memory alive
• Honest talk about grief, mental health, and suicide prevention
• Practical ways to support someone struggling and where to find help

Timestamps

0:02 – Meet Pam and remembering Sam

0:10 – How faith shapes the journey of loss

0:23 – Grief, healing, and hope in tough seasons

0:32 – Resources, support, and honoring Sam’s legacy

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories about family, faith, and healing.

💬 If this episode touched you, share your thoughts in the comments and help spread hope by sharing this video.

❤️ You’re not alone—light and support are out there.

In this episode, I sit down with Julie Brumley, a trauma-informed adoptee coach whose own story is nothing short of courageous. For over 15 years, she has helped other adoptees overcome addiction, regulate their nervous systems, and find a sense of true belonging.

Julie Brumley - Trauma-Informed Adoptee Coach

The Resilience Project - Where Adoptees Find Belonging

As an adoptee herself, Julie survived unimaginable early life adversity—abandonment, attempted abortion, & multiple caregivers in the first 7 weeks of her life.

Julie weaves somatic therapy, community, and fierce self-compassion into everything she offers. Her wisdom speaks to the primal abandonment wounds many adoptees share, and her bravery in transforming pain into powerful purpose is inspiring.

If adoption has touched your life—or if you've ever felt out of place, struggled to belong, or wrestled with grief—you’ll resonate with the honesty and hope in this episode.

What we dive into:

-How adoption trauma and the “primal wound” can shape identity

-Julie’s survival story and journey to finding belonging within

-The role of somatic healing and nervous system work

-Radical self-acceptance as a path to wholeness

-Why processing grief is essential

-The unique set of challenges adoptees face in community and relationships

-How pain transforms into purpose

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:08 Meeting Julie and starting her journey

04:53 Naming adoption trauma

08:53 Julie’s calling to support adoptees

11:05 How addiction links to abandonment wounds

13:35 Finding birth family and the realities that followed

16:49 Loss, resilience, and adversity

19:31 Therapeutic tools for real healing

22:21 The impact of adoption on emotional intimacy

25:07 DNA, self-discovery, and identity

27:40 Connecting to biological and cultural lineage

29:45 Navigating relationships & emotional overwhelm

33:18 Slowing down and honoring the reunion process

36:55 Transmuting pain into purpose

40:57 Belonging—starting from within

44:03 Grief and living with loss

47:32 Setting boundaries in relationships

50:49 Emotional processing techniques

56:07 The ongoing journey to self-acceptance and belonging

What does it mean to choose hope after deep pain?

September is #SuicidePreventionMonth—a reminder to cut through the surface and talk honestly about mental health.

As reported by the World Health Organization, 720,000 people take their own lives per year.-Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.

-73% of suicides occur in low and middle-income countries

-The reasons for suicide are multifaceted, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors present across the life-course.

-For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide.

A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide in the general population.

These stats are heartbreaking...and alarming...and we have to talk about them, BEFORE we lose more people.

I’ll never forget when a classmate died by suicide in college during my senior year. Suddenly, everything people kept bottled up—grief, confusion, guilt—was right there in the open.

2003 Harvard Crimson tribute "Friends Remember 'Beautiful & Vibrant' Smith - May she rest in peace

It was a harsh wake-up call to just how much pain goes unseen, how many of us are fighting battles no one notices, and how real the impact is when someone’s gone.

In this episode of Adventures in Adversity, I open up about college experiences with suicide and trauma, as well as an experience my family had last year with someone we lost.

I talk about surviving narcissistic abuse, dealing with loss, and what it’s really like to try to put your life back together after everything falls apart.

Learning about suicide in my own life and through the lives of my guests on this podcast has changed the way I look at others and myself.

Hearing about suicide for the first time didn’t just make me aware; it showed me how easily pain gets missed and how complicated life can get before someone finally asks for help.

These are the hard conversations—but silence does more damage. If any of this feels familiar, know that you’re not alone, or broken, or strange for having a hard time.

Reaching out isn’t weakness. Sometimes, it’s the only thing left that makes sense.

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES

Stay Herehttps://www.stayhere.live/resourcesSuicide prevention education, support, and ACT training for individuals and communities.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 support from trained counselors for suicidal crisis, mental health emergencies, or emotional distress. Available nationwide in the U.S. - English and Spanish

MENTAL HEALTH APPS (2025 BEST PICKS)

Calm — Meditation and sleep aid

Headspace — Mindfulness and guided relaxation

Bearable — Mood & symptom tracking

Finch — Habit tracker and daily self-care

Breathe, Think, Do (for kids)

ADDITIONAL CRISIS SUPPORT

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free crisis support in the U.S..

SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (Mental health and substance use)

This episode was recorded in California at The Oakland Podcast Studio

Special thanks to Louiza for making this happen and DK, my fantastic sound engineer!

Follow Oakland Podcast Studio on Instagram